2024 Rural Carrier Year in Review

2024 Rural Carrier Year in Review

Here we are at the end of another year, and what a year it has been for the rural craft.  Is it just me or does everything seem crazy since RRECS started?  I am not even working anymore but just reading the updates makes me crazy.

I still stand by my opinion that it should never have been implemented until all aspects were fully operational, but what do I know?

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Ruralinfo.net in 2024

Ruralinfo.net turned 19 years old.  Can you believe it?  Read more about that here

We added a new daily newsletter so you can get the latest news in your email daily. Sign up for that here

We added an Ad free subscription on Ruralinfo.net.  Not very many people have taken advantage of it, but it is an option.  If you ever wanted to support Ruralinfo.net, you can buy a subscription or just donate a coffee.

We created a PSHB page and created some comparison tables.  You can check that out here

And finally, we created a rural carrier shop that offers some products that I used when I was a rural carrier.

We sold our PostalRHD domain.  I was spending too much to keep it going and it didn’t get much traffic.  We do have a Vehicle buy and sell group on Facebook if you need to buy or sell a route vehicle.

Hopefully I can continue to make the website better as we look towards the future. Keep reading to see the rural carrier year in review

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In Memoriam

A special look at those fellow rural carriers we lost on the job this year.

Click on their names to read their stories

[su_row][su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/thumbnail.webp” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/kansas-city-rural-letter-carriers-association-past-president-david-troutman-died-in-a-car-crash-on-his-route-yesterday.html” target=”blank”]David Troutman[/su_photo_panel][/su_column] [su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/alicia-bubier.jpeg” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/rural-mail-carrier-killed-in-litchfield-maine-crash.html” target=”blank”]Alicia Bubier[/su_photo_panel][/su_column][su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/8932942.jpg” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/rca-dies-in-accident-on-the-route-in-texas.html” target=”blank”]Miranda S Mathis Fry[/su_photo_panel][/su_column][/su_row]

 

[su_row][su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/thumbnail-1.webp” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/virginia-rca-dies-in-crash-on-the-route.html” target=”blank”]Sandra E. Smith[/su_photo_panel][/su_column] [su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/scr-20241208-kohe.png” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/mail-carrier-killed-in-accident-on-the-route-in-mississippi-was-an-rca.html” target=”blank”]Loretta Hopkins[/su_photo_panel][/su_column][su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/scr-20241208-kqcf.png” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/rca-dies-on-the-route-in-vermont.html” target=”blank”]Douglas Loso[/su_photo_panel][/su_column][/su_row]

 

[su_row][su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/collage-1.jpg” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/rural-carrier-close-to-retirement-killed-in-greene-county-crash.html” target=”blank”]Gina Hernandez[/su_photo_panel][/su_column] [su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””][su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/scr-20241208-ksgl.jpeg” url=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/north-carolina-rural-carrier-dies-in-accident-on-the-route-on-the-day-after-thanksgiving.html” target=”blank”]Keyera McGougan[/su_photo_panel][/su_column][/su_row]

[su_note]If any rural carrier is missing on the “In Memoriam” list, please contact me and let me know. We want to honor everyone we have lost.[/su_note]

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Postal Vehicle Fires in 2024

[su_photo_panel shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” text_align=”center” photo=”https://www.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/scr-20240730-nwls.webp” url=”https://postaltimes.com/category/2024-mail-truck-fires/” target=”blank”]On our sister site, Postaltimes.com, we have documented 49 postal vehicles fires this year. We have been documenting these fires since 2017. So far our tally is 263 since 2017[/su_photo_panel]

2024 pay updates

[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””][su_box title=”2024 began at this rate.” box_color=”#2a62ff”]$72,462 (40 hour route at Step 12)[/su_box][/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””][su_box title=”March 2024 COLA update” box_color=”#2a62ff”]$72,815 (40 hour route at Step 12)[/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]

[su_box title=”RCA Updates” box_color=”#2a62ff”]In lieu of the COLAs, RCAs and ARCs receive an additional 1% each November in the General Wage Increase. Since rural carriers are in contract negotiations, there was no pay update in November. Depending on negotiations, this would be added to back pay when a new contract is signed[/su_box]

2024 EMA Updates

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  • April EMA Rate – 94.5¢ per mile
  • June EMA Rate – 98.0¢ per mile
  • October EMA Rate – 97.0¢ per mile
  • December EMA Rate – 95.0¢ per mile

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Contract negotiations

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In march we got the negotiations opening statement of NRLCA Don Maston.  They also released a video on negotiations.  In May, there was an announcement that they were continuing negotiations. In November, there was a video update on ongoing negotiations.

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Top News of 2024

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January

  1. NRLCA President Maston’s remarks in article on Minnesota delivery problems
  2. Kansas City Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Past President David Troutman died in a car crash on his route yesterday.
  3. Fake NRLCA website
  4. Rural Mail Carrier mauled by dogs in Bulloch County, GA
  5. McKinney, TX rural carrier helps reconnect homeless Vietnam vet with nearly $10K in lost cash
  6. Florida House panel puts muzzle on dangerous dogs after ‘gruesome’ attack on RCA Pam Rock

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[su_content_slide class=””]February

  1. Postal Service to end evening collection at thousands of post offices
  2. From NRLCA – Error Concerning Accumulated Sick Leave for Des/Act 79-0 RCAs
  3. From NRLCA – Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Effective March 9, 2024
  4. Calls for increased rural postal service staffing grow louder
  5. UPDATE: NRLCA and USPS Sign MOU Allowing Regular Rural Carriers to Volunteer to Work on Sundays and Provide Assistance on other Rural Routes

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[su_content_slide class=””]March

  1. Opening Statement of President Don Maston During Opening Session of 2024 NRLCA/USPS Contract Negotiations
  2. Updated Rural Carrier Salary Charts – Effective March 9th, 2024
  3. EMA to Decrease 0.5 Cents Per Mile Effective April 6, 2024
  4. NRLCA releases Collective Bargaining video update

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[su_content_slide class=””]April

  1. USPS releases new EMA charts effective April 6, 2024
  2. NRLCA Releases Information on Coverage Factor for Rural Routes
  3. Rural mail carrier killed in Litchfield, Maine crash
  4. NEW VIDEO: NRLCA Update on Route Adjustments
  5. RCA dies in accident on the route in Texas
  6. USPS has established an anti-harassment info line
  7. NEW: USPS-NRLCA Joint Rural Contract Administration Manual (RCAM) Now Available

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[su_content_slide class=””]May

  1. Video – NRLCA President Maston Addresses Crowd at Baltimore Rally
  2. NRLCA Files National Level Grievance on Interim Adjustments
  3. NEW Resources: Updated Labor Relations Presentations from NRLCA
  4. U.S. Postal Service Releases Dog Bite National Rankings

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[su_content_slide class=””]June

  1. USPS Releases Progress Report on the Delivering for America Plan
  2. Durbin, Rounds Introduce Legislation To Protect Rural Postal Processing Facilities
  3. Stauber Introduces MAIL Act to Force USPS to Better Support Rural Postal Workers
  4. First NGDVs Delivered to the Postal Service
  5. Rural Carrier EMA to Increase 3.5 Cents Effective June 29, 2024
  6. NRLCA and USPS Sign MOU Concerning Annual Leave Carryover for Leave Year 2025
  7. New Equipment Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Charts for Rural Routes Released

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[su_content_slide class=””]July

  1. MOU Signed on Hiring Rural Carrier Annuitants as Holiday Assistant Rural Carriers (HARCs)
  2. NRLCA releases 2080/2240 tracking tool
  3. What’s at stake in the contract for US rural letter carriers

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[su_content_slide class=””]August

  1. NRLCA and USPS Sign MOU Allowing Regular Rural Carriers to Volunteer to Work on Sundays and Provide Assistance on other Rural Routes
  2. Postal Service Ignoring Heat Risks to Mail Carriers, Investigation Finds
  3. Virginia RCA dies in crash on the route
  4. Your 2024-2025 NRLCA National Board

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[su_content_slide class=””]September

  1. Mail carrier killed in accident on the route in Mississippi was an RCA
  2. Rural Carrier EMA to Decrease to 97.0 Cents Per Mile Effective October 5, 2024
  3. Stamp Out Hunger brought in 44 million pounds of food
  4. Happy 121st birthday to the NRLCA
  5. Rural Timekeeping: Transition to 3-Digit Hours Codes
  6. USPS pilots a program for lactating employees
  7. NEW VIDEO: President’s Update, September 2024
  8. 2024 – 2025 – New Guarantee Year provisions important to rural carriers
  9. RCA dies on the route in Vermont

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[su_content_slide class=””]October

  1. Rural Carrier close to retirement killed in Greene County crash
  2. NEW NRLCA VIDEO: Hurricane Helene Update
  3. Provisions on X days from now until the end of the Christmas Overtime Period
  4. Steps required before formula implementation
  5. Rural Carrier killed in Ashland crash remembered
  6. NEW VIDEO: From the NRLCA President’s Desk, October 2024
  7. Inspira Financial will replace FSAFEDS for postal employees in 2025
  8. Christmas Pay Procedures for Rural Carriers

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[su_content_slide class=””]November

  1. NEW VIDEO: From the President’s Desk, November Bargaining Update
  2. 2025 TSP Contribution Limits
  3. U.S. Postal Service Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Results
  4. U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Competitive Prices for 2025
  5. USPS and NRLCA Sign MOU on Territorial Route Adjustments
  6. US Postal Service demands rural carriers send back “overpaid” wages right before Christmas season
  7. NEW VIDEO: President Maston Visits Florida Following Hurricanes
  8. Yes, It ‘Looks Like a Duck,’ but Carriers Like the New Mail Truck
  9. Postal Service Found in Violation of Federal Labor Law for Constructive Discharge and Employee Threats

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[su_content_slide class=””]December

  1. The U.S. Postal Service recently lost at least 1,936 brand new barcode scanners
  2. The USPS unlawfully threatened and interrogated a mail carrier after he asserted his right not to work more than 60 hours a week
  3. PMG Dejoy did not have a good day at yesterday’s Oversight hearing
  4. Trump may cancel U.S. Postal Service electric mail truck contract
  5. Alarm sounded as postal worker suicides quadruple to over 200 in 2023
  6. Postmaster General covers his ears from House Republican questioning during Oversight hearing
  7. NEW VIDEO: From the NRLCA President’s Desk, December Holiday Message

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Rural Carrier Heroes

 

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Top Downloaded Files from our Knowledgebase

File Downloads
1. 2021-2024-Special-Contract-Edition_FINAL.pdf 24006
2. combined-salary-schedules-082623.pdf 17183
3. Order-of-consideration.pdf 9596
4. PS-Form-1164e-Etravel-expense-report.pdf 9348
5. Pay-stub-reference.pdf 9212
6. Table-of-evaluated-hours-for-rural-routes.pdf 8360
7. Leave-replacement-matrix-guidelines.pdf 8222
8. Formula-and-relief-day-references.pdf 7690
9. NRLCA-Comprehensive-Guide-to-RRECS-October-2021.pdf 7092
10. Contract-Q-and-A.pdf 6062

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In closing

 

So there you have it. The rural carrier year in review. I did my best to try to cover all of the important things but I am sure I missed something. I know this is long, but there are a lot of things to cover in a year.

Most of you know I have been retired since October 2022 and yes, I absolutely recommend retirement as soon as you can. My stress level has plummeted and my husband and dog are happy to have me home every day..

Thanks to everyone for finding what I do worthy of reading and paying attention to. If not for rural carriers across the country, this website would never have become what it is.

I wish only the best for every rural carrier in this country. I want you to be fairly compensated and treated with dignity and respect. I want you all to get the information you deserve. I am still passionate about the rural craft, so I will keep Ruralinfo.net going as long as I feel it is still helping rural carriers.

Here is to a better year for you all in 2025. Whatever happens, I will be here to try to help keep you informed through it all.

With all of that being said, let me leave you with a few things coming up in 2025 that should be on your radar.

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2025 Pay Dates and Leave Year

USPS released their pay date and leave year chart.  Click here

2025 Printable Rural Carrier Calendar

We created our yearly printable calendars in JPG or PDF format – Download at this link

Leave Carryover

As of now, there is an agreement to be able to carryover 520 hours to the new year. Read more

The New Leave Year

The 2025 leave year begins January 11, 2025, extends for 26 full pay periods, and ends January 9th, 2026

2024 Guarantee period

A new guarantee period for rural carriers will be effective on 10/4/25

Two Mini Mail Surveys coming in 2024

Rural routes will be evaluated every six months following the evaluation effective October 5, 2024. The beginning of the first full pay period in April and October, respectively, will be the effective date of all future rural route evaluations.

RDWL signup opportunities in May and October

The first opportunity to sign the relief day work list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the new guarantee period and will be effective at the beginning of the new guarantee period. The second opportunity to sign the relief day work list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the first full pay period in May and will be effective the first full pay period in May.

Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery Work List Signup Opportunities in May and October

The first opportunity to sign the Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery Work List list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the new guarantee period and will be effective at the beginning of the new guarantee period. The second opportunity to sign the relief day work list will be three weeks prior to the beginning of the first full pay period in May and will be effective the first full pay period in May.

Rural Carrier Christmas period

The new rural carrier Christmas period will begin on 12/6/25.

NRLCA/USPS Contract Expired on May 20th, 2024

Hopefully there will be a new contract in 2025.  As of now, it is just a waiting game.

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